Wackenhut-Firefighter OT Suit Heading To Arbitration

Law360, New York (June 8, 2012, 12:40 PM EDT) -- A Washington federal judge on Thursday sent to arbitration firefighters’ overtime pay class action against government subcontractor Wackenhut Services Inc., finding the plaintiffs — hired to work in war zones — signed employment contracts with valid arbitration provisions.

U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg granted Wackenhut’s motion to compel arbitration, saying that employment contracts signed by the firefighters contained valid, enforceable arbitration agreements that required them to bring their claims before an arbitrator.

“The court agrees that it is the appropriate authority to resolve plaintiffs’ challenges...